First award winner in 2001 with Parts They Call Deep. Won again in 2004 for Background. Very successful national career. ”The Essential Theatre has been fundamentally important for my career. When I was very young and unsure of how to sustain my work in theatre, they gave me strength. I speak from experience when I say that I will always credit them with my early success and confidence.”

“Parts They Call Deep” wasn’t “submitted” to the Essential Playwriting Contest – the young writer simply asked Peter Hardy if he would look at it, and when he read it, he asked if it could be considered for the prize. (It won.)